The three-game One Day International (ODI) series was wrapped up with an exciting finish. South Africa got a morale-boosting triumph over Afghanistan in the last ODI, hosted at the legendary Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Enduring two straight defeats, the Proteas rallied back. They posted a compelling victory by 96 runs, bringing back some dignity to the series.
South Africa batted first, piling up a tough 281 runs, mainly due to the top order’s strong play. Quinton de Kock, finding his rhythm again, pushed forward with a dynamic 84-run inning off a mere 89 balls. His spirited style primed the rest of the innings, as he unveiled his signature hits, featuring several boundaries that kept the Afghan bowlers on their toes. It was de Kock’s time at the plate that cemented a sturdy base for the team.
After de Kock’s exit, Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen took the lead. Markram performed well, earning 62 runs, while Van der Dussen added a reliable 48 runs. They led South Africa over 250 runs, offering the team a strong position on a pitch supporting batters and bowlers alike.
The Afghanistan cricket team’s bowlers put up a good fight, especially Mujeeb Ur Rahman. He, a young spinner, snagged three wickets for 55 runs in his 10 overs. This showed his prowess and experience on the global platform. However, keeping the South African batsmen in check, especially during the middle overs, remained a challenge for the Afghan bowlers. That’s when runs were scored easily.
With a goal of 282, Afghanistan began their batting carefully, working to establish a strong base. But, they quickly ran into challenges as South Africa’s bowlers showed pinpoint accuracy. Kagiso Rabada was on top of his game, sending Rahmanullah Gurbaz, known for his threat-level, to the pavilion with only 10 runs. The batting squad of Afghanistan, previously displaying potential, now felt the squeeze from South Africa’s unstoppable advance.
The game got tough for the middle-line players, especially for Hashmatullah Shahidi. He was a key player before but now fell for just 24 runs. Wickets kept falling, putting Afghanistan on shaky ground at 75 for 5. They were losing the match. South Africa’s bowlers, the leaders being Rabada and Anrich Nortje, made the most of it. They kept the tension high and got wickets steadily.
Afghanistan’s captain, Mohammad Nabi, kicked up a bit of a rally. He brought out his batting smarts and know-how. He scored 58, offering a sliver of optimism for Afghanistan. He tried to balance the innings. His bold batting and smart plays helped Afghanistan hit a hundred runs. But, there was no help from the other side.
Ultimately, Afghanistan only racked up 185 runs over 40 overs, giving South Africa a clear win. Rabada stood out among the bowlers, securing 4 wickets in return for 40 runs in his allocation of 8 overs. Nortje added to this success with 3 significant wickets for just 36, proving the strength and skill of South Africa’s bowling team.
South Africa’s win boosted spirits following earlier setbacks, while also shining a spotlight on Afghanistan’s spunk and promise. They shone despite defeat. Especially in the first two ODIs. The Afghan players displayed their skill and fought against a powerful adversary.
Next up, each team will give attention to their future games. South Africa is eager to expand on their win, while Afghanistan aims to polish their game plans and bounce back. This series was a stellar opportunity for both teams to gauge their pros and cons, paving the way for thrilling cricket matches to come.